MANCHESTER - Women leaders from across the First Congressional District including current elected officials, former elected officials, community leaders, and grassroots activists penned an open letter supporting Chris Pappas for Congress. The letter (full text included below) lays out the reasons why the leaders are supporting Chris stating, “Chris’s record of results reflects a moral compass, not a political one. Chris doesn’t just talk the talk -- he walks the walk. He’s been consistently pro-choice, believes that health care should be a right and not a privilege, and is a progressive small business owner. Chris has stood up for equal rights and for common sense gun reform, all while representing a district that has voted mainly for Republicans year after year.”

The signers of the letter will be leading an outreach campaign including house parties for Chris and writing postcards to other women voters in the district. Supporters will be added on an ongoing basis and the up-to-date list can be found at www.chrispappas.org/withchris.

The letter was signed by 45 women from across the district including Former Speaker of the NH House Terie Norelli of Portsmouth, Stefany Shaheen of Portsmouth, Mary Rauh of New Castle, and current State Senator Donna Soucy of Manchester. The letter was also signed by former Executive Councilors Dudley Dudley of Durham and Bev Hollingworth of Hampton; former State Senators Betsi DeVries of Manchester, Mandy Merrill of Durham, and Katie Wheeler of Durham; and former State Employee Associations President Diana Lacey.

Born and raised in Manchester, Chris Pappas runs the Puritan Backroom restaurant where he manages the restaurant's day-to-day business and 230 plus employees. Since 2013, Chris has represented District 4 on the New Hampshire Executive Council, which spans 19 communities in Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Strafford counties. Chris is running for Congress in New Hampshire’s First District. Currently, he is in the midst of his “80 Ways to Meet Chris in 80 Days” tour, making 80 campaign stops across the district to hear from voters about what they care about and the challenges they face. To learn more, visit www.chrispappas.org.

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Why We Support Chris Pappas for Congress

At a time when our politics has reached a partisan fever pitch, we believe that Chris Pappas is the right leader at the right time for New Hampshire’s First Congressional District. Chris transcends divisions himself -- as a small business owner, a native son of New Hampshire, and the highest elected openly gay official in New Hampshire, Chris is a proven leader who has brought people together to find solutions to the issues facing Granite Staters.

As a longtime public servant, and as an employer, Chris is a proven feminist with a record of fighting for the wide range of issues that matter to us and many of you.

As an owner of one of the largest family-owned restaurants in New Hampshire, Chris understands how important it is to invest in your workforce and provide good wages and benefits. The Puritan Backroom, run by Chris and his family, offered health insurance to employees long before it was mandated by the federal government. They also offer a set of benefits that give employees the support and flexibility they deserve, because Chris believes nobody should have to choose between paying the bills and caring for themselves and their families. Thanks to Chris's leadership, the Puritan is setting an important example in an industry where these policies are not the norm.

Chris first ran for the Executive Council because five Republican Councilors - all men - defunded Planned Parenthood in New Hampshire. Once elected, he worked to restore that funding, protecting access to health care for women, men, and families across the state. He also provided the pivotal vote on the Council to begin implementing the state’s Medicaid expansion program which insures more than 50,000 people.

Chris speaks out about important common sense gun reform including his support for saving lives by implementing universal background checks, banning bump stocks and high capacity magazines, and reinstating the assault weapons ban. As a member of the New Hampshire legislature, Chris fought against attempts to loosen gun permit requirements and give gun makers legal immunity. As an Executive Councilor, he won funding for law enforcement aimed at reducing gang activity and removing illegal guns from our streets.

As an openly gay official in New Hampshire, Chris has always been a champion of inclusion and empowerment for everyone. He is a strong supporter of equal opportunity before the law and of making sure everyone has the ability to participate in our economy.

Chris’s record of results reflects a moral compass, not a political one. Chris doesn’t just talk the talk -- he walks the walk. He’s been consistently pro-choice, believes that health care should be a right and not a privilege, and is a progressive small business owner. Chris has stood up for equal rights and for common sense gun reform, all while representing a district that has voted mainly for Republicans year after year.

We’re with Chris because Chris is with us. Here in New Hampshire (and across the country), women’s issues are everyone’s issues. Chris Pappas gets this, and he is working hard to earn the support of each and every voter based on what matters to them and their families. We know that Chris shares our values. That’s why we’re voting for him on September 11th and committed to reaching out to women and families through a letter-writing campaign and gatherings in communities across New Hampshire’s First District.